Pipette tip dispenser

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus for organizing and dispensing pipette tips. A hopper receives bulk pipette tips which pass through a diamond shaped apertures in a sieve and drop into the troughs of a separator which moves the aligned and oriented tips to an organizer which separates the tips and aligns them with storage tubes and drops the tips into tubes where they are stacked and stored. An ejection membrane at the opposite end of the tube allows the tips to be removed into a tip holder box one layer at a time.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dispensing system for pipette tips comprising: a hopper for receiving a bulk supply of pipette tips; a separator means for lining the tips in organized rows; a sieve positioned between the hopper and separator for orienting tips before they enter the separator; means for organizing and spacing the tips; means for moving the tips from the separator to the organizer; means for storing the tips; means for moving the tips from the organizer to the means for storing, and means for ejecting the tips from the storing means to a means for holding the tips ready for use. 
     
     
       2. A dispensing system for pipette tips according to claim 1 wherein: the separator includes a plurality of parallel spaced grooves adapted to receive pipette tips. 
     
     
       3. A dispensing system for pipette tips according to claim 2 wherein: the regions of the separator between the spaced groves are shaped to cause the pipette tips to enter a groove. 
     
     
       4. A dispensing system for pipette tips according to claim 3 wherein: the sieve includes a plurality of rows of a series of diamond shaped apertures overlying the spacer grooves. 
     
     
       5. A dispensing system for pipette tips according to claim 4 wherein: the means for moving include a plurality of pusher means shaped to enter and extend into the said groove and move the tips located therein. 
     
     
       6. A dispensing system for pipette tips according to claim 5 wherein: the means for organizing and spacing includes, a plurality of grooves, where one wall of each grove is movable and has an aperture for receiving a movable separator bar, said bar including means for spacing pipette tips within the groove. 
     
     
       7. A dispensing system for pipette tips according to claim 6 wherein: the organizer groove opens and allows tips to enter the means for storing. 
     
     
       8. A dispensing system for pipette tips according to claim 7 wherein: the means for storing includes a plurality of tubes or chutes located in a cassette proximate the organizer for receiving pipette tips as they leave the said organizer. 
     
     
       9. A dispensing system for pipette tips according to claim 8 wherein: means for ejecting includes a first stretchable membrane having apertures aligned with the means for storing, and a second stretchable membrane juxtaposed with the first membrane and having apertures overlapping the apertures of the first membrane whereby, the membranes will eject one pipette tip each time the membranes are stretched.